Post your favorite local Ham radio shop here.

[gon2srf]

Leave your favorite store name, number, contact person, Web link and I'll add it to the list.

Ham Radio Outlet
Anaheim / Orange County
800-854-6046 714-533-7373 FAX 714-533-9485
933 N. Euclid St, Anaheim CA 92801
anaheim@hamradio.com
http://www.hamradio.com/web/stores/anaheim.html


Jun's Electronics
Culver City Los Angeles County
(310) 390-8003 http://www.juns.com
5563 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
http://www.hamcity.com/about_us.aspx
CruiserLarry has used these guys personally for over 15 years and gives them 3 thumbs up.
Ask for Ernie (specializes in HF) or Tim.

[Cnynrat]

Scott -

I think pretty much the only Ham radio shop in OC is Ham Radio Outlet (aka HRO) in Anaheim. It's on Euclid about 1/4 mi or so north of the 5. They are a national chain.

You will hear a lot of people complain about the service at HRO. I had a pretty good experience there - bought my mobile set up from them. I visited the store a couple times before I bought to touch and feel radios and get advice. All the sales guys I dealt with were helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. They did not have the lowest price going in, but were flexible enough to get close enough for me, especially since I could walk out of the store with the radio (something to be said for immediate gratification ).

FWIW, I've found that although most of the big Internet sources have prices that are pretty close, Universal Radio (http://www.universal-radio.com) is usually the lowest when you look at total cost including shipping and tax. I recently bought an HT for Jodi from them.

Another alternative that some may mention is Jun's, which is somewhere up in the LA area. Larry knows them, so he can chime in. I believe they have an Internet presence under the name Ham City.

HTH.

[gon2srf]

Thank you Dave, great info. I 'll add it to the front page. See you Friday?!

[gon2srf]

I went to HRO in Anaheim today to pick up an antennae, some cable and an external speaker. Mike was my sales person and I thought the service was excellent. He took the time to show me each item I asked about without trying to over sell me on the high end model but thoroughly explaining the pros and cons of each. He also happened to own a Jeep Cherokee and was very interested when I talked about BorregoFest, the members at OAUSA.net and the recent net at Bass Pro. I left him a few cards and hope he stops by to check us out. On the way out another Jeep owner stopped me to check out the FJ and after a friendly chat about the pros and cons of IFS and SA and HAM radio antennaes I left him a few cards and asked him to check in with us.

Two thumbs up for HRO in Anaheim.

[cruiserlarry]

HRO is as good as the people who work there - some stores are better than others, so you have to check out the local one and see how you feel about it. Overall, I think they're a decent place.

I like the information and more person attention I feel I get at Jun's Electronics. They are located in Culver City, right near the 405 fwy, and are a family owned and operated store in business for over 30 years. They have a very good inventory, are very knowledgeable, and use the equipment they sell. A side note - they are a commercial radio design and installation specialist as well as ham. They provide / program radios for most police departments, designed and installed the two way communications system on the Honda Corporate HQs in Torrance, CA including repeater systems, and do radio repair work / mods in house. Like everywhere else, you need to see if they fit your personality, or needs, regarding radios. They have a large presence on the web, www.hamcity.com , and sell internationally. They have a very high reputation among serious HF hams all over the country, and they are agressive with pricing and price matching when possible.
Again, you need to decide for yourself if they are good / bad / indifferent, but I have used them exclusively for myself and my customers for 15 years or so, and I've been completely satisfied...

If you go, tell them Larry @ Dirty Parts sent you, and that you are a member of OAUSA...ask for Tim or Ernie.

[gon2srf]

HRO is as good as the people who work there - some stores are better than others, so you have to check out the local one and see how you feel about it. Overall, I think they're a decent place.

I like the information and more person attention I feel I get at Jun's Electronics. They are located in Culver City, right near the 405 fwy, and are a family owned and operated store in business for over 30 years. They have a very good inventory, are very knowledgeable, and use the equipment they sell. A side note - they are a commercial radio design and installation specialist as well as ham. They provide / program radios for most police departments, designed and installed the two way communications system on the Honda Corporate HQs in Torrance, CA including repeater systems, and do radio repair work / mods in house. Like everywhere else, you need to see if they fit your personality, or needs, regarding radios. They have a large presence on the web, http://www.hamcity.com , and sell internationally. They have a very high reputation among serious HF hams all over the country, and they are agressive with pricing and price matching when possible.
Again, you need to decide for yourself if they are good / bad / indifferent, but I have used them exclusively for myself and my customers for 15 years or so, and I've been completely satisfied...

If you go, tell them Larry @ Dirty Parts sent you, and that you are a member of OAUSA...ask for Tim or Ernie.

Good info Larry. Dave mentioned them and I perused their website and saw the pictures of what looked like Dad and son. Tim and Ernie, never know? Anyway great review, it's nice to hear such positive information on what appears to be a heavy hitter in the industry who treats each customer like it was their last. More reasons to come up your way and say high.

[cruiserlarry]

The owner's name is P.J., and Tim is his son. Ernie is an older gentleman who has been there forever and is extremely knowledgeable on all matters of ham radio, but especially on HF (requires general/extra license) frequency stuff, as that is his passion.